The Block Game Before Minecraft
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The block game before Minecraft was Infiniminer, a block-based open-ended mining game that inspired the creation of Minecraft and spawned the entire “block-world” genre of gaming. Infiniminer was first released in April 2009, and its blocky visual style, first-person mode, and block-building fundamentals heavily influenced the development of Minecraft.
Understanding the Origins of Minecraft
Minecraft was not the first block game of its kind, but it has become the most popular and enduring one, with a huge community of players and a wide range of game modes and customization options.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What game was Minecraft inspired by?
Minecraft was inspired by Infiniminer, a block-based open-ended mining game that was first released in April 2009.
2. What was the first version of Minecraft called?
The first version of Minecraft was called Cave Game, which was later developed into the game we know today.
3. Was Minecraft originally free?
Yes, Minecraft was originally a free download, but not every edition is still free-to-play.
4. Why is it called Minecraft?
Minecraft is called Minecraft because the name is a combination of the words mine, for mining ore in shafts, and craft, as in building or creating something.
5. Who is Minecraft Steve based on?
There is a theory that Minecraft Steve is based on Tommy Vercetti, the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, due to the alleged physical resemblance between both characters.
6. What was Minecraft first released on?
The first version of Minecraft was released for PC players on May 17, 2009.
7. Why did Notch create Minecraft?
Notch created Minecraft because he loved computers, programming, and computer games, and he wanted to build his own game after feeling disillusioned with his studio’s lack of interest in his ideas.
8. Was Minecraft made by one person?
The original version of Minecraft was developed by an individual, Markus “Notch” Persson, in 2009.
9. Will Minecraft 2 ever happen?
There are no plans to release a Minecraft 2, as the developers want to keep the community together and provide free updates to the existing game.
10. Is Minecraft an endless game?
Technically, Minecraft worlds are not infinite, but they are so large that players will not run out of space to build and explore any time soon.
11. What is the rarest thing in Minecraft?
The Dragon Egg is the rarest item in Minecraft 1.20, and it can only be obtained by defeating the Ender Dragon.
12. Does Minecraft have a purpose?
Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however the player wants, making it a sandbox game with lots of things to do and ways to play.
13. Is Minecraft based on real events?
Minecraft relies heavily on the player’s creativity, and the true narrative and plot for any game is entirely up to the player’s own imagination.
14. What is the backstory of Minecraft?
There is a fan theory that the story of Minecraft depicts a descendant of a long-gone civilization of master builders avenging their ancestors by freeing them from the End and carrying on their legacy in the Overworld.
15. What does RD stand for in Minecraft?
The “rd” before the version number stands for RubyDung, a game Notch was working on before Minecraft, whose codebase was later reused for Minecraft.